This Mediterranean-style coffee shop serves some reasonably tasty food either as take away or to sit in, and is also a shisha cafe - with some seats out at the front for those who want to smoke. For this purpose, however, its City Road location isn't ideal, being busy and rather uninspiring. If you're going to inhale smoke from a water pipe, however, you can hardly get worked up over a few exhaust fumes - but the view could be better. I've recently noticed a sign on their window saying they have a rear garden, so that may be more pleasant for al fresco coffees and a smoke? Appealing to the local student population, Sahara also do baguettes and cold drinks. read more

Sahara Shisha Garden - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Cardiff, CRF

Sahara is a popular café and shisha place on City Road. Frequented by the locals and students alike it remains a busy and vibrant low cost eatery with quite a lot to offer. There's terrace seating out front and a great garden out the back, as well as plenty of seating in the main café itself. The staff are really friendly, and all share a great sense of humour, making a night out here a pleasant and relaxing one. The Mediterranean food isn't half bad, and being supplemented with things like baguettes, there's something to suit everyone's tastes. This is definitely the place to chill and experiment with shisha if you are so inclined. I love the waft of strawberry flavoured tobacco that infuses the cool night air in the garden at the rear. Top marks to this friendly bunch of affable people... and because of their good nature I rate them the best shisha bar in town! read more

Sahara Shisha Garden - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Cardiff, CRF

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Do not be put off by the fact that this place has a Shisha garden. Even if you have no interest partaking of a shisha, you should definitely pop in for a smoothie or a hot chocolate some time because they are wonderful. I came across this place entirely by accident when looking for somewhere that was open til late, but wasn't a pub, and quite honestly, they serve the best hot chocolates of any cafe or coffee shop I've ever been to. If you do venture out into the garden, again, don't be intimidated; the staff and customers are friendly, and the place has a wonderful atmosphere, but do be warned that it may get a little cramped as it's quite a popular place, particularly for large groups of young people. If that's not for you, there is an inside area that's rarely busy as most people are there for the shisha. It's ideal if you want a late night hot drink. read more

This is a good little cafe (I have noticed recently that everytime I like something, I call it little. I think I might be secretly be sizeist. I apologise most heartily). To be honest, it's not my favourite place around the Cathays area for the very simple reason that the food isn't quite good enough. But, then I have been spolit somewhat by Cafe Calcio and their absolutely DELICIOUS food. This cafe serves some quite nice food, nothing that exciting. The service is truly brilliant, though. Unfortunately, because it opens onto such a busy road, you can't really enjoy the outside seating without choking on some exhaust fumes - not great. I'll have a side order of coughing with my tea, please. read more

Sahara Shisha Garden - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Cardiff, CRF

The first time I visited this bar I suffered from quite the culture shock. Sahara Shisha bar is the complete antidote to its neighbour, Milgis, and opens up into an exciting garden world packed with groups of sociable people. For the shisha novice, you should know that it's not just the smoking that will make you feel relaxed. Staff here are always willing to help fresh and experimental customers. Take your time perusing the shisha menu, as there are some fascinating options for those ready to go past the more conventional options of apple or mint. What beverage to have is a no-brainer. Discard the drinks menu and go for red or green mint tea. Now, I could almost say I'm a regular here. Sahara is a very welcoming place and my friends and I always have a table in our name, even if the place is jammed full and we haven't booked. The mood here is delicious, delirious and definitely recommended. Although I'm not a fan of RnB, the loud chart music and those seedy late-next ad breaks encouraging you to text 'GIRLS' to some premium rate number sculpt a fascinating and lively atmosphere. The only time I've felt truly uncomfortable here was when I took my mum. Her puzzled exclamation of 'do you inhale?' left me with the desire to turn around and pretend I didn't know her. Despite this, she loved it and spent the next day bragging to her partner about her new drug of choice. URBAN CHALLENGE: Look out for this place in the icy depths of winter. I can't be the only person who is thrilled to see snow gather on the Sahara. read more